Arsenal have submitted an offer worth €20m (£16.8m) to Espanyol for goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
The Spanish shot-stopper is Arsenal’s leading transfer target to replace Aaron Ramsdale, who is undergoing a medical at Premier League rivals Southampton ahead of a £25m transfer to the south coast.
Arsenal are understood to have agreed personal terms with Garcia’s representatives, having long-targeted the 23-year-old as a replacement for Ramsdale, who has been expected to leave the Emirates this summer.
However, Espanyol are set to demand that Garcia’s €30m release clause (£25.2m) is met in full.
Who is Arsenal transfer target Joan Garcia?
Garcia is a 23-year-old goalkeeper who broke into the Espanyol side over the second half of last season. He made 14 appearances as the Catalan side won promotion from the Segunda Division and has started each of the club’s opening three fixtures of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign.
The 6ft 3in shot-stopper was part of the Spain squad that won gold at this summer’s Olympic football tournament in Paris, though did not make an appearance.
Ramsdale nears Southampton transfer
Arsenal’s pursuit of Garcia comes with Aaron Ramsdale closing in on a transfer to Southampton. The England international lost his place in the side to David Raya last season and is keen to move on in search of regular first-team football.
The 26-year-old will join the Saints in a deal worth around £25m including add-ons and will return to the south coast, having spent three seasons at Bournemouth between 2017 and 2020.
Ramsdale made 89 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners and was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2022/23, having helped Mikel Arteta’s team to Champions League qualification.
